DE102009016096A1 - Method for cutting food bar at weight-specific portions, involves obtaining weight of food bar, where through-beam scanner determines specific number of signals of certain scan slices with specific thickness - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves obtaining the weight of a food bar (1). A through-beam scanner determines specific number of signals of certain scan slices with specific thickness, where the slices are arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis (x) of the food bar. The signals are stored in a computer unit, where the summation of the signals is formed.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method for slicing a Food bars in weight-accurate portions.

Food bar, for example sausage, cheese and / or ham for the Sales are often cut in portions, which at least one, preferably several food slices exist. This Slicing is usually done on so-called slicers, in which the respective food bar rests on a support, the him continuously or intermittently in the direction of a cutting knife transported from the front end of the food bar Food slices separated. The thickness of the respective disc is preferably determined by the speed of the feed. The cut slice (s) is / are removed in portions, Each portion must have a certain minimum weight. In order to undercut this minimum weight in any case, is nowadays any portion with a weight higher than the minimum weight fitted. This additional weight is known to the skilled person as a "give away" and is undesirable, because it's profitability limits food production.

It Therefore, the object of the present invention was a method to disposal to ask where this "give away "pro Serving as possible is low.

• – das Gewicht (W) des Lebensmittelriegels (1) ermittelt wird,
• – ein Durchstrahlscanner n Signale (p_i,i=1-n) von n Scannscheiben mit einer Dicke (x_i,i=1-n) ermittelt, die hintereinander entlang der Längsachse (x) des Lebensmittelriegels angeordnet sind,
• – die Signale (p_i,i=1-n) in einer Rechnereinheit gespeichert werden und deren Summe (P) gebildet und gespeichert wird,
• – mit den Werten von W, P und p_i,i=1-n sowie dem gewünschten Sollgewicht G der jeweiligen Portion die von dem Lebensmittelriegel jeweils abzutrennende Länge (x_N) berechnet wird und
• – diese Länge an eine Aufschneidemaschine übergeben wird, die die jeweilige Portion abschneidet.

The object is achieved with a method for slicing a food bar into weight-accurate portions, in which:

• The weight (W) of the food bar ( 1 ) is determined
• A transmitted-through scanner detects n signals (p _{i, i = 1-n} ) of n scanning disks having a thickness (x _{i, i = 1-n} ) arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis (x) of the food bar,
• The signals (p _{i, i = 1-n} ) are stored in a computer unit and their sum (P) is formed and stored,
• With the values of W, P and p _{i, i = 1-n} and the desired target weight G of the respective portion, the length (x _N ) to be separated from the food bar is calculated, and
• - This length is passed to a slicer, which cuts off the respective portion.

at the method according to the invention The weight of the entire food bar is before its sliced determined. This can be done with any scale known to those skilled in the art respectively. The determination of the weight in the sense of the invention is but not limited to weighing. At a known density, the weight may also be due to data of the Durchstrahlscanners be determined. This weight W is attached to a Computer unit passed, the stores the weight value. Is the weight of the food bar known, it can also directly, without weighing before, to the Transfer computer unit become.

In a further process step, the food bar is screened by a disk scanner with a Durchstrahlscanner. This X-ray scanner, for example an X-ray scanner, has a radiation source and a, for example, photosensitive, sensor, which are located on opposite sides of the circumference of the food bar. The radiation source emits jets which enter on one side of the periphery of the food bar, penetrate the food bar and are received on the opposite side from the sensor. This sensor measures the intensity of the received rays, which are attenuated as it passes through the food bar, the attenuation depending on the local nature of the food bar, for example its density. The Durchstrahlscanner is preferably provided stationary and the food bar is preferably transported along its longitudinal axis by the Durchstrahlscanner. In this case, the food bar is, for example, on a conveyor belt, which is arranged between the radiation source and the sensor on. The irradiation of the food bar is done slice by disc, the discs are preferably arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the food bar. The desired thickness of such a disk, which will be referred to as a "scanning disk" in the following, depends on the desired measurement accuracy. Preferably, however, the thickness of the scanning disc is smaller than the food slice to be separated from the food bar. Preferably, the thickness of the scanning disk is ≦ 1/5, more preferably ≦ 1/10 the thickness of the actually cut food disc. Preferably, the thickness of each scan disk is the same. The transmission scanner measures n values p _{i, i = 1-n} of n scan disks. The values respectively measured by the sensor are stored in the computer unit, preferably as a function of their respective position in the longitudinal direction of the food bar. The computer unit therefore preferably knows which measured value has been determined at which point along the longitudinal axis of the food bar. In the event that one does not work with uniform scanning disc thickness, in addition the respective thickness of the scanning disc must be registered and stored.

After a food bar has been completely scanned, the sum P of all the values determined by the sensor is formed. In case that If the thicknesses of the scanning disks are not uniform, it may be advantageous if a sum weighted with the disk thickness is formed. The sum is also stored in the computer unit.

Subsequently, the food bar in the same orientation in which it was also illuminated, passed to a slicer, which divides it into portions. Per portion, a certain length x _N must be separated from the food bar, which corresponds to the desired target weight G of the respective portion, wherein a portion comprises at least one, preferably several food slices. The cuts of the slicing machine take place substantially parallel to the transmission direction of the transmission scanner and are preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the food bar. Preferably, the initial position of the food bar when cutting as exactly as possible corresponds to the initial position during scanning, so that the stored during scanning longitudinal coordinates match the longitudinal coordinates when slicing.

With the values of W, P and p _{i, i = 1-n} and the desired target weight G of the respective portion, the length (x _N ) to be separated from the food bar is calculated.

Preferably becomes first Once a factor k is calculated by the weight W of the food bar divided by the sum P of all measured signals of the scanning discs becomes.

With the factor k, the measured value p _{i, i = 1-n} can then be converted into the weight w _{i, i = 1-n of} each scan disk. These values are added up for each portion until the desired target weight G of the portion is reached. Due to the number of scanned disks multiplied by the thickness of the scanning disks, the computer unit knows which length x _N for the respective portion is to be separated from the food rack. This process is repeated for each serving until the food bar is cut open. The respective values are transferred by the computer unit to the slicing machine, which is controlled on the basis of this value.

Alternatively, it can also be calculated which measured value number is required per portion. The measured values p _i are then added up for each portion until the desired measured value number of the portion is reached. Due to the number of scanned disks multiplied by the thickness of the scanning disks, the computer unit knows which length x _N for the respective portion is to be separated from the food rack. This process is repeated for each serving until the food bar is cut open. The respective values are transferred by the computer unit to the slicing machine, which is controlled on the basis of this value.

The length (x _N ) to be separated from the food bar can be cut into a predetermined number of food slices. This then results in the thickness of the food slices to be separated for the respective portion. Alternatively, a specific thickness of the food slices is predetermined. The computer unit then calculates how many of these food slices are separated from the food bar per serving.

In the case, it is sufficient that the scanning disks all have the same thickness to count the number of measured values determined per food bar. These Sum is then measured by a length of the food bar divided and thereby determines which thickness has a scanning disk. The thickness of a scanning disc can also on any other the Specialist familiar Be detected.

The values p _{i, i = 1-n} determined by the transmission scanner can also be used to determine quality features. For example, these values can be used to determine the area of the start and the end of the food bar in which the diameter of the slices is smaller. Furthermore, the values p _{i, i = 1-n} ranges of the food bar with a very high fat content, very large cavities (cheese) and / or so-called "blond spots" can be determined with the values. These areas with a reduced quality can then be sorted out and do not get into the cut portion. The sorting also takes place on the basis of the measured values p _{i, i = 1-n} and a corresponding control of the slicing machine. Furthermore, the transmission allows foreign body detection in the food bar. Food bars with foreign bodies are at least only partially cut so as not to damage the knife or because they are unsuitable as food.

In the following the method according to the invention will be described by means of two examples and the only one 1 explained. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. In the 1 shown dimensions are not to scale.

example 1

• 1) Determine the weight W of the food bar (eg: 2,000 g). Furthermore, the length L of the food bar is measured (for example, 500 mm). For example, a photocell and encoder is used to control the feed of the tape on which the food bar is located, as long as the signal of the photocell is interrupted.
• 2) The food bar is transported by an X-ray scanner. The x-ray scanner does a gap recording of food bar z. B. every 0.1 mm. The Width of the gap is determined, for example, by the speed, with the food bar by the X-ray scanner and / or the frequency the recordings set.
• 3) The X-ray scanner determines z. B, n = 5000 data p _{i, i = 1-n} . The determined values p _{i, i = 1-n} depend on the local X-ray absorption of the food bar and amount to z. P ₁ = 83.234, p ₂ = 83.334, p ₃ = 83.244. The values are stored individually and as a function of their position along the longitudinal axis of the food bar in a computer unit connected to the X-ray scanner.
• 4) All 5000 values are then added (eg 416325)
• 5) From this sum P and the weight W of the food bar the weight factor k is determined 2000 g / 416325 = 0.004805728
• 6) With this weighting factor k, it is possible to calculate the weight of each scan value p _{i, i = 1-n,} ie each scan disk z. B. w ₁ = 83.234 * K = 0.399999 g This is the weight w ₁ of 0.1 mm product at the position i = 1.
• 7) Based on the target portion weight (e.g., 150 g), the number of scan slices is calculated which must be cut from the food bar to obtain the target weight for that portion. For this purpose, the weight values w _{i are} added up until at least the desired target weight has been reached (eg 375 scanning disks). This corresponds to a real product length of 37.5 mm, which must be cut off the food bar for this portion.
• 8) Provided that the portion in the present case 15 To have food slices, results in a food slice thickness of 2.5 mm.
• 9) Accordingly, the slicing machine 15 Cut food slices 2.5 mm thick from the food bar.
• 10) Steps 7-9 are repeated until the food bar is cut open.

Example 2

• 1) The weight W of the food bar is determined (eg: 2,000 g). Furthermore, the length L of the food bar vegetables (eg 500 mm). Therefore For example, a photocell and encoder that uses the Advance of the strip on which the food bar is located, as long as the signal of the photocell is interrupted.
• 2) The food bar is transported by an X-ray scanner. The x-ray scanner does a gap recording of food bar z. B. every 0.1 mm. The Width of the gap is determined, for example, by the speed, with the food bar by the X-ray scanner and / or the frequency the recordings set.
• 3) The X-ray scanner determines z. B, n = 5000 data p _{i, i = 1-n} . The determined values p _{i, i = 1-n} depend on the local X-ray absorption of the food bar and amount to z. P _i = 83.234, p ₂ = 83.334, p ₃ = 83.244. The values are stored individually and as a function of their position along the longitudinal axis of the food bar in a computer unit connected to the X-ray scanner.
• 4) All 5000 values are then added (eg 416325)
• 5) Based on the target weight of the portion (eg 150 g), first the number of scans corresponding to this weight is calculated = 416325 * 150/2000. Thereafter, the number of scan slices is calculated which must be truncated to obtain the target value for a portion of the food bar. For this purpose, the scan values p _{i are} added up until the desired setpoint is at least reached (eg 375 scan disks). This corresponds to a real product length of 37.5 mm, which must be cut off the food bar for this portion.
• 6) Provided that the portion in the present case 15 To have food slices, results in a food slice thickness of 2.5 mm.
• 7) Accordingly, the slicing machine 15 Cut food slices 2.5 mm thick from the food bar.
• 8) Steps 5-7 are repeated until the food bar is cut open.

1

Food bar

2

Food slices

3

portion

L

Length of the Food bar index of the respective scanning disk, i = 1 - n

G

desired weight of the portion 3

k

factor (k = W / P)

n

number the scanning discs

N

number the slices cut per serving

P

total the measured signals, in particular pixels

p _i

measured Signal of the individual scanning disc

W

Weight the entire food bar

w _i

Weight the single scan disk

x _i

thickness the single scan disk

x _N

thickness the cut portion

Claims (9)

Method for slicing a food bar ( 1 ) in weight-accurate portions ( 3 ), characterized in that: - the weight (W) of the food bar ( 1 ), a transmitted-through scanner detects n signals (p _{i, i = 1-n} ) of n scanning disks having a thickness (x _{i, i = 1-n} ) arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis (x) of the food bar, - The signals (p _{i, i = 1-n} ) are stored in a computer unit and the sum (P) is formed and stored, - with the values of W, P and p _{i, i = 1-n} and the desired target weight G of the respective portion is calculated from the food bar respectively length to be separated (x _N ) and - this length is passed to a slicing machine that cuts off the respective portion. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight (w _i ) of each scanning disc is calculated and optionally stored. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that w _{i is} determined by the formula w _i = p _i · W / P. Method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the number (w _i ) of the number of scanning slices to be separated is calculated. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sum of the number of pixels to be separated per respective portion is calculated. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that that the sum is determined by the formula G · P / W. Method according to one of claims 3, the number of scanning slices to be separated into the length (x _N ) to be separated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length to be separated (X _N ) in a predetermined number of food slices ( 2 ) is cut open. Method according to one of claims 1-7, characterized that the thickness of the respective disc is predetermined.